"... Presents eleven stories form these turbulent times that afford a better understanding of how the war unfolded and how it was fought. The stories range form the Union's delayed introduction of repeating arms and why a commercial steamer and not a warship was sent to relieve Fort Sumter to how Robert E. Lee's critical dispatch at the battle of Antietam may have been lost and whether William T. Sherman was the best choice to lead the Union's western offensive in 1864."--Back cover.

The biggest Confederate error? -- The biggest Federal error? -- Preempting the Civil War -- Treasury innovations and mischiefs -- The camelot couple -- The burning of Atlanta -- Choosing Sherman or Thomas -- The Spring Hill spies -- Ghosts of the lost dispatch -- Florida after Vicksburg -- Lincoln and McClellan.